HND Fashion Communications
- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 24 Aug 2026
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Year (August to June)
Always wanted to know how to create a fashion magazine, plan a fashion show, turn your social media skills into an exciting career, or predict consumer and lifestyle trends? This course gives you the chance to explore the communication of fashion through styling, photography and marketing, giving you a strong understanding of fashion consumers and how to talk to them through different forms of media. You’ll also explore drawing, design development, pattern drafting and manufacturing skills and create a collection of your own.
What will I learn?
The HND Fashion Communication course is based on project and studio work and covers fashion communication, social media, drawing, design development, pattern drafting, marketing, photography and manufacturing skills.
In year one, you'll learn design development, pattern cutting and garment manufacture using industrial methods and how to communicate this through fashion with photoshoots and feature writing.
In year 2, you will become more independent in your approach to learning. You'll work on personal research and other projects using both traditional and digital media to illustrate/communicate your ideas. You'll take your designs through to a final collection and be encouraged to challenge tried-and-tested methods of fashion communication, preparing you for moving on to university or directly into employment.
The course covers:
- Fashion styling, imagery and branding
- Visual communication
- Journalism, feature writing
- Magazine layout
- Fashion illustration
- Fashion forecasting and research
- Digital skills, adobe photoshop and illustrator
- Pattern development
- Industrial sewing techniques.
Progression from year 1 to year 2 of the HND is not guaranteed and is dependent on suitable progression through course work, as well as satisfactory attendance, timekeeping and commitment.
If you are interested in this course and would like to know more, please view the course presentation below before making your application:
Watch the presentation here.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- One Higher at C pass or above in an art-related subject e.g. Art & Design/Fashion & Textiles, or are working towards this qualification; OR
- Foundation in Fashion Textiles, Access to HND Fashion and Textiles, or equivalent
- Applications will be considered from those that do not meet the academic requirements if they can demonstrate some experience in the Textile/Fashion/ Design industry
- Relevant National Qualification or a Foundation/ Modern Apprenticeship.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications (SCQF) Framework can help you to check if you're choosing the right level of study. Take a look at the SCQF Interactive Framework here.
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
We have well-established links with industry and organisations within the Creative Industries, including:
UKFT
We are one of the only educational partners in Scotland within UKFT.
UKFT is the voice of UK fashion and textiles and is committed to creating the best environment for our industry. They represent the entire fashion and textile supply chain, promoting the fashion and textile industry in the UK and overseas.
They demonstrate the strategic and economic value of our vibrant industry to government and policymakers, ensuring the key issues are on the agenda. They champion our diverse and valuable industry through campaigns and key activities.
The key UK trade associations and organisations in fashion and textiles are Federated Members of UKFT, uniting the sector on common issues.
Find out more about UKFT here.
Trades House of Glasgow
We work closely with the Trades House of Glasgow and the affiliated Incorporations through the annual Craftex Awards and educational partnerships with the Incorporation of Weavers, Incorporation of Cordiners, Incorporation of Tailors and the Incorporation of Dyers and Bonnetmakers. Students benefit annually through sponsorship and awards.
Articulation Routes
Associate Programme Heriot-Watt University Borders Campus
Within the School of Fashion and Textiles, 40 students across year 1 and 2 of our Fashion and Textiles courses will enrol as Heriot-Watt Associate students each year. A further 40 students will be dual enrolled as Articulation Plus students.
This articulation opportunity is available to all students and offers a direct entry route into a degree programme outwith the UCAS process.
For HND Fashion Communications students' progression is into 3rd year of BA (Hons) Fashion Branding & Promotion or BA (Hons) Fashion Design. Selection for this articulation route is made at the start of the HND Fashion Communications course.
Once selected, articulation is guaranteed on successful completion of the two-year HND programme and a B grade (or above) in the Graded Unit year 1 and 2.
An articulation agreement is in place with Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University Aberdeen. Successful HND Fashion Communications students can progress to year 3 of the BA (HONS) Fashion and Textile Design degree programme. The award achieved by doing this course is HND Fashion Design and Manufacture which will still be applicable.
Entry will be dependent on:
- Satisfactory completion of the above HND
- Grade A in the Graded unit
- Attendance at interview may be required
- Portfolio review may be required
Jobs and further study
HND Fashion Design / Communication students’ progress to a number of degree courses across the UK. Offers for direct entry to university are subject to satisfactory progress, portfolio, and reference. Graduates could progress on to:
- 2nd year entry to BA Fashion Branding and Promotion at Heriot-Watt University
- 3rd year entry to BA International Fashion Branding at Glasgow Caledonian University
- 2nd year entry to Fashion Management Course at Robert Gordon University
- 2nd year entry to BA Fashion Branding and Communications at Birmingham City University
- 2nd year entry to BA Fashion Communications at UWE Bristol
- 2nd year entry to BA Fashion Communications at Northumbria University
- 3rd year BSc. Education and Curricular Studies with Teaching Qualification Strathclyde University
- BA (Hons) Fashion Narrative at Glasgow School of Art
- Modern Apprenticeship within the textile sector.
- In addition, students have gone onto self-employment or employment in the fashion industry.
Take a look at the course progression map for fashion and textiles courses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You'll receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you'll either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an information session - at the information session you will be given additional information about your course, have a tour of the facilities and meet the staff. It is essential that you attend this session.
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
You'll be informed of the outcome of your application by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, your application has been reviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your application review, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you'll not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your application has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you'll be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out by June 2025.
